Friday, April 20, 2012

Ohio / Michigan Tough Mudder Recap, Part 7





(Steve gets over the wall with a little help from his friends)

There’s a number of theories as to how the tallest person on the team had such a hard time with this obstacle. But in the end it all boils down to me needing revenge on this obstacle. So please let me know if you want in on the Atwell Arsenal Tough Mudder Part II in either Maryland or Kentucky or South Carolina this September – October. I’m there.
(Another failed Justin attempt. Ballet jumps just weren’t cutting it)

With Everest behind us, we made our way as a team through the last portion of woods. The last thing between us and the finish line was Obstacle #24: Electroshock Therapy. This is possibly the Tough Mudder’s most famous obstacle, and the one that causes the most trepidation. There were a couple of people that may have joined the Arsenal if not for the dangling, electrified wires you have to run through to get to the finish. Hay bales and a layer of ankle deep water added another element of danger.

We charged. Bob, Jicha, and I all took light zaps to the shoulder. Erick got one on the arm. Steve caught a couple light shocks too, but nothing too extreme.




(Tim Russell gets Tased)



Tim Russell on the other hand got the big backhand from Electroshock Therapy. Tim caught a wire right on the ear, a couple of us heard the pop. The next thing Tim knew, he was a few feet from the finish line. Electroshock Therapy knocked out approximately 20 seconds worth of Tim’s short term memory. But in that instant, all that mattered was getting that orange headband.

The finishing area was full of smiling faces, every last one sopping wet and caked in mud, happily sporting the coveted orange headbands. Volunteers passed out water, sports drink, cliff bars, and most importantly Dos Equis. A Most Interesting Man In the World banner proclaimed that anything requiring you to sign a death waiver is probably worth doing.

We staggered through the chaos of the finishing area. Michelle and Abby found us, and held shirts while we went to hose off the worst of the mud in the Tough Mudder “shower” area, a platform off to the side of the finish line with dozens of garden hoses connected to a water truck.

The shuttle bus back to the Ford plant was thankfully very warm. No Rhianna or Chris Brown on this ride, though I imagine all the elated story telling of brave deeds, tragic spills, and camaraderie would have drowned it out anyway. No one walked away without some manner of injury, scuff or bruise, but the licking of wounds would be for another day.

For now, the Atwell Arsenal had conquered the Amherst Quarries and the Ohio/Michigan Tough Mudder, and it was time for a well-deserved Brew Kettle feast.

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